The End or The Beginning?

This entry is expressly intended for those senior students graduating from Dover High School this week, but the message can certainly be applied to any and all. Because these seniors comprised my last group of high school students when they were sophomores, I want to bid them farewell in my own way.
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Dear Graduating Students,

     A joyous day, perhaps the happiest in your young lives, is right now, this moment--the final day of high school. You have spent so many years preparing . . . and it is here . . . finally. As you look back, you have memories--both good and bad. The petty arguments, jealousies, and dislikes are all put on the back burner for a few days--at this moment, friendships abound, and you are treasuring each moment--good for you!

                       

                                                                . . . . .

 

     However, when the excitement of the moment wears off, you will find that you really are not that much different from where you were prior to graduation. The only certainty that faces you now is uncertainty because each of you is preparing to go into uncharted waters, situations you have never before experienced. How that ride is going to be will be largely determined by you . . .: thus, your life will be full of unanswered questions . . . just like the rest of us who have already been at the exact spot you are at this moment.

 

     Throughout the time you were in my classroom, you were busily involved in writing, reading, writing, writing, and more writing. If you recall the first day, I made this comment to you: "If your sole reason for entering this classroom is to merely get a grade, then you are going to be sorely disappointed." My objective then--as it continues to be now--was to lead you to an understanding of how to survive and how to succeed beyond the classroom walls. I pushed you perhaps when you did not want pushed; I perhaps angered you with my occasional commentary; I made you discuss situations you may not want to have considered; most importantly, however, I have attempted to make you think. You have heard these words come from my mouth: "The sign of an intelligent person is one who views all sides of an issue before voicing an opinion"--at this point, you know what I was trying to do: I want you to leave high school with the insight to examine. Please do not go through life with a narrow-minded approach believing there is only one way to succeed, to live. Please recognize that narrow-minded people frequently end up with great regrets.

 

     While I was teaching you, I repeatedly said that the key reason for learning grammar is to prevent ourselves from being embarrassed. At various points in our lives, we will be forced to write--no matter how difficult that is to believe at the moment. When those situations occur, you will be so dependent on your basic knowledge--what comprises that basic knowledge is now in your head simply because, following your high school graduation, it will be a rare opportunity to take any more grammar classes. Please remember the green banner that graced my classroom wall: Perception is Reality. Please recognize that the perceptions people make about you will not always be accurate . . . but that is what those individuals will remember. Do whatever you can so that when others perceive you, they are walking away with an impressive reaction.

 

     As I sit here at this computer, I could make so many comments, but my reason for writing this letter is not to be preachy. Throughout my year with you, we got to know each other quite well. Through your journal writings, your numerous essays, and our conversations, I am quite comfortable saying I have a solid understanding of where you are in your life. Thus, my reason for writing to you is to leave you with a few "Guntherisms" (what a stupid word!)--it is my way of saying Please do whatever you can to be a good person.

 

***Please recognize that you are going to fail occasionally in your life--it is a given that failure is going to occur. Bad decisions are going to be made (perhaps a few of you have already learned this lesson), and life's events are not always going to go the way you anticipate. How you deal with that failure, however, will determine where you are going to end up.***

 

***Building from the previous point, please understand that when failure occurs it is so important that you determine why it occurred--making excuses will make you feel better in the short term and may even serve as a partial cover when explaining to friends and family why it occurred, but the reality is you must eventually determine why--scrap the excuses and examine the reasons.***

Courage: It is a rare occasion when an individual has the courage to uphold his convictions; so frequently our lives revolve around trying to please others--the importance and value of doing that cannot be overestimated; however, when we allow ourselves to stray too far from the path, we become an accident, a setback, waiting to happen. Remaining courageous and standing your ground is a true test of your character. What you will find is that the meaning and significance of this word, courage, will gradually change as you continue to plow your way through life. Please understand that it is a simple word, yet it packs a powerful punch!

 

Confidence:  So much of what we do revolves around the confidence, the belief, we have in ourselves. Do not--even for a moment--think that your high school days have fully determined your position in life. Yes, habits--both good and bad--have been established, but what truly shapes an individual's future is his or her will and determination. If you believe and if you are willing to work at something--whether it be a job, a marriage, or an obstacle--you can persevere. There are more ways to get ahead in this life than just being smart, believe me.

 

Responsibility:  Whether we want to accept it or not, we must understand that all of us have a responsibility, an obligation to help those who come after us. Our kids--and I am not necessarily referring to our own biological children--will look to us as role models in ways we rarely envision. The language we use, the way we treat others, the enthusiasm we display for life--all these will be closely monitored by those following us. It is our duty to show them the way, whether we like it or not.

 

Respect:  Treating others with respect is perhaps the most important lesson you will ever learn--you will leave this world eventually with only your reputation--try to do whatever you can to make sure that reputation is laced with respect.

 

     Although the foregoing letters, CCRR, seem awfully innocent, I try to use them as a guide for my dealings with others. I will be the first to admit that I occasionally get off track, but I also will tell you that it helps to have a "code" to bring me back to reality--maybe it can be of benefit at a point in your lives.

 

     As I bring these parting words to a close, I will let you in on these thoughts:

     1.  I thoroughly enjoyed teaching you two years ago; you were respectful young people who

          were willing to do what I asked--I admire you for that.

     2.  I hope the mutual respect between us that I discussed with you on the first day of your

          sophomore year has been earned and maintained--to me, it is the key ingredient in
          teaching.

     3.  I hope you walked away from my class considering yourself a better writer than when you

          walked in--it is inevitable that at various times in your future you will still hear a semi-bald-

           headed man telling you the difference between plurals and possessives!

     4. I hate to reveal this, but I must tell you now to avoid future embarrassment: in all likelihood,
         I will forget many of your names. I will remember you, but I might need a little reminder
         about first names--believe me, with all the students I have taught, the thousands of names
         bouncing around in my head become a bit garbled from time to time. Apologizing in
         advance, I ask for your future understanding.
 

     It has been a great run, class, but it is time for you to move on. I wish you well in your life and hope I have been able to help you in one or two small ways. As the famed cartoon character, Elmer Fudd, so adequately put it, "That's all, folks!" Go get 'em!

With much respect,


Mr. Gunther
         
 . . . and never forget "Passion is the trigger of success!"